Save The Earth

Our
planet has a natural environment, known as ‘ecosystem’, which includes
all humans, animals, plants, land and water. Human activities have
caused much depletion and destruction of this ecosystem.

Environmentalism advocates the preservation, restoration and/or
improvement of this natural environment by controlling pollution and
protecting plant and animal diversity. Environmentalists attempt to
balance relations between humans and the various natural systems on
which they depend to achieve sustainability.

Earth advocates work to protect natural resources and ecosystems through education, activism and the political process. They seek to give the natural world a stronger voice in human affairs.

The environmental issues of today know no borders. We can't just put up
fences around natural places to keep humans out. We must protect the
entire planet for the survival of all species — plants, animals and
people. Governments, businesses, communities and individuals must make
better decisions to live in balance with nature. Through science,
responsible planning, legislation and daily choices, we can ensure the
survival of the ecosystem.

There are many ways you can help to
save wild places and wild animals. Volunteer. Recycle. Install solar
panels on your roof. Organize an event where you live. Change a habit.
Help launch a community garden. Communicate your priorities to your
elected representatives. The possibilities are endless! Do something
nice for the earth, have fun, meet new people, and make a difference.

ENVIRONMENTAL ISSUES

LAND

The
world population is expected to reach 9 billion by 2050. As our
population increases, there is even more pressure on forests,
grasslands, deserts and other natural areas to provide food, housing and
energy for humans. These demands increase the stress of already
fragmented natural areas suffering from pollution, deforestation,
disrupted migratory routes and changing environmental conditions.

Already,
large numbers of people have been declared food-insecure; resulting in a
land rush with nations hurrying to secure properties for agriculture
and fuel crops. Forests are being cleared at alarming rates, an
estimated 18 million acres each year. At the same time, poor agriculture
practices lead to millions of acres of land lost annually through soil
erosion and land degradation.

Trillions of tons of garbage is
produced every year, while more and more goods are produced...resulting
in the creation of more waste. Most garbage is buried underground in
landfill sites, causing environmental and health concerns.

If we don’t make changes now, future generations will not experience the same plentiful, diverse planet that we know today.

AIR

Air
pollution is a mixture of solid particles and gases in the air. Car
emissions, chemicals from factories, dust, pollen and mold spores may be
suspended as particles. Ozone, a gas, is a major part of air pollution
in cities. When ozone forms air pollution, it's also called smog.

Air
pollution is caused by polluters who refuse to clean up toxic air
emissions, despite proven pollution control technologies. Most air
toxics originate from human-made sources, including automobiles,
factories, refineries and power plants. Indoor sources include building
materials and cleaning solvents.

As the environment suffers,
humans suffer from asthma, lung disease, heart ailments, cancer and
shortened lives. Acid rain, often caused by pollutants in the atmosphere
from automobile or industrial processes, falls from the sky in the form
of rain, snow, fog or dry material. Devastating effects to forests,
aquatic systems, buildings and human health can result. Air toxics then
contaminate our food products, drinking water and soil.

WATER

Pollution,
habitat fragmentation and destruction, and overfishing are having
devastating effects on our oceans, rivers and lakes. Acidification,
caused by increased carbon emissions, degrade coral reefs and corrode
the shells of sea creatures. Freshwater ecosystems provide us with
drinking water, food, energy and recreation. These ecosystems are also
critical to plants and animals. Increased demands for food, energy and
material goods have placed unprecedented pressure on these fragile
environments. Within the next 20 years, half of the world’s population
may face water shortages.

Oceans are a critical part of the
earths support system. Acid rain pollutes our seas. Oceans are degraded
by spills and chemical runoffs. The largest living structures on earth,
coral reefs, are among the greatest storehouses of biodiversity on the
planet. Up to 70 percent of coral reefs are expected to be lost by 2050
due to human activities.

Water is under threat from fertilizers
and chemical runoff, dumped chemical and industrial wastes, untreated
sewage and medicinal residues.

GENETIC ENGINEERING

Genetic
modification of plants and animals is a controversial subject, with
many experts believing the ill impacts far outweigh the benefits to
mankind. Manipulating plant DNA to produce super crops is a dangerous
global experiment. When released into the environment, they cannot be
recalled.

Genetically modified organisms (GMOs) can spread
through nature and interbreed with natural organisms. They can
contaminate natural environments in an unforeseeable and uncontrollable
way. This is referred to as 'genetic pollution', a major threat to the
environment.

Due to commercial interests, the public has been
denied the facts about GMO ingredients in the food chain. The absence of
labeling laws in many countries denies individuals the power to avoid
them.

Biological diversity must be protected and respected. It is fundamental to our planet's survival.